Information about sealskin

All seal skins processed by Great Greenland is caught by Greenlandic Inuit hunters alongside the Greenlandic coast. All skins are tanned at Great Greenland's tanning facilities in South Greenland. All sealskins comply with EU legislation on sealskins. Only Inuit hunted sealskins are approved for sale, production and import in the EU. See more on the EU official website: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/biodiversity/animal_welfare/seals/eu_seal_regime.htm

Colors: At Great Greenland, we primarily sell natural sealskins, but we also color many skins in popular and fashionable colors. A dye will only be considered if the natural skin is dis-colored. A dye saves the skin from being discarded so we ensure sustainable production. A beautiful natural skin will never be colored unless it is needed.

Harp seal:Harp seal is also called Greenlandic seal or silk seal. The name silk seal is a very striking description for the appearance of the skin - it is glossy and soft and it shines like silk. The harp seal is used primarily for clothing, but it is also extremely decorative for interior.

The Harp seal is characterized by its natural grey color and the sporadic spots that are scattered over the skin. Some sealskins have many spots, some have few.

Seal skins from Harp seal is available in several grades: A,B,C,D,E and discarded. A-skin is with maximum two minimal errors. B-skin can have up to eight small defects. C-skin may have several small errors, as well as one to two major errors. D-skin may have smaller areas without hair or hard leather. E and discarded skins are typically very damaged skins that can only be used for the production of small pieces after which the rest of the skin is completely discarded.

NOTE: All our skin pictures are taken of C skins and all skins has a different look, size and color.

Ring Seal:The Ring Seal is the type of seal skin which most people relate to Greenland. The Ring Seal’s clear and notable marking along the ridge has been seen in the Inuit’s clothing for hundreds of years and today the Ring Seal is still used for clothing and interior.

The Ring Seal’s natural color is light grey with very notable markings along the ridge which can vary from light grey to almost black. The look of the skin is very different from skin to skin but they are always very decorative. The Ring seals come in long haired and short haired versions. The long haired skin looks more furry while the short haired is more “flat”. The short haired Ring Seal is always slightly bigger than the long haired Ring Seal.

Seal skins from Ringseal is available in several grades: A,B,C,D,E and discarded. A-skin is with maximum two minimal errors. B-skin can have up to eight small defects. C-skin may have several small errors, as well as one to two major errors. D-skin may have smaller areas without hair or hard leather. E and discarded skins are typically very damaged skins that can only be used for the production of small pieces after which the rest of the skin is completely discarded.

NOTE: All our skin pictures are taken of C skins and all skins has a different look, size and color.